Polarised doctrine

I'm currently, for my personal gratification, studying Roman's in some detail. The reason behind this is because it is a book that I have struggled to understand even when I studied it at college (although I did pass the module). With time, effort, and the help of the works of a couple of renown theologians I am beginning to get to grips with this amazing, enlightening yet deeply challenging piece of Paul's writings. After a couple of months I have reached Chapter 11, having scaled the dizzy heights of Chapters 6-10. This chapter is proving a little easier yet, in the midst of my study today, having grappled with the controversial and often divisive topic of election, I arrived at a question: Does our polarisation around a particular doctrine - a set of beliefs held and taught by the Church - prevent us from seeing the real truth that is presented within Scripture?

I have always disliked labels and refused to accept a label whilst others in college revelled in the labels that they wore. One particular label that polarises the debate on election - that is 'does God choose those who are to be saved' - is that of Calvinism; the belief that God chooses those to be saved and his choice is irresistible. On the opposition side we have Arminianism (not to be confused with Armenian's from Armenia - a nation, and former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region straddling Asia and Europe) - anyone can be saved, it is a personal choice not that of God - and the debate between the two is often fierce. I have my own opinion and I am not going to debate it here, in the end it is not that important; we should rejoice in the fact that we are saved. Indeed the apostle Paul wasn't trying to polarise opinion, no he was trying to unite the Gentiles and the Jews, who had arrived at salvation through very different and often opposing histories, into a common 'church'.

Yet my interest was piqued, and if I had been trying to live up to my own label and looked at Election through polarised eyes I wouldn't have spotted the significance of Paul writing "severity toward those who have fallen" suggesting choice, which in itself may serve confusticate the Calvinists and have the Arminians jumping for joy. Which is why I asked myself the question; "Does our polarisation around a particular doctrine prevent us seeing the real truth that is presented in Scripture?" My conclusion is a resounding "Yes!"

Election is a fact of salvation that is difficult, maybe even impossible to understand; that is where faith comes in, faith in Jesus and hope in our salvation. Calvinism and Arminianism are constructs that arose out of humanity's attempts to understand this particular doctrine. Therefore, do not be misguided, polarised or worried by them, keep an open mind to God and his word because it is only when we meet Him face to face that we will truly have the opportunity to get the answers, and by then it won't matter.

The consequences of the truth

Truth does come at a price as I was reminded a little while ago when I reversed into a car in a car park. There was no one in the car and no one in the car park to witness what had happened. I examined the car and there were two insignificant scuffs on the paint. In spite of all this I decided to leave the owner a note on their windscreen and some days later I heard from them. I explained the situation and offered to pay for the damage they said they would get a quote. A few weeks later I received an email that indicated the cost of "repair" would be in the region of £1,000 and of course the owner would require a hire car for two days whilst the work was carried out and then there was the VAT. At the time of the incident I took photos of the paint scuffs and returned to them in case I was mistaken at the level of damage, I wasn't and the word T-Cut came to mind. It seems that someone might be taking advantage of by someone somewhere along the line. In the end I handed it over to my insurance to deal with.

I have replayed my actions over in my head and I know that I did the right thing, the consequences of my honesty were unimportant provided I believed I acted in truth and grace. This, as you might expect, got me thinking about Jesus who paid the ultimate consequence not just for speaking, but for being the truth. Thought history many have died standing up for the gospel of Jesus and many continue to do so. Being hit with a large bill pales into insignifance when one realises the enormity of the sacrifices people make each day in the name of the truth, in my cosy life I am so far removed from making a real sacrifice it is ridiculous that I might be upset by my own limited experience of exposure to consequences.